Cloth Diaper ABCs: Washing Your Wool

Photo by Vincent Desjardins

Don't let wool intimidate you. It really isn't as difficult as it may seem. To start, let's go over the pros and cons of incorporating wool into your cloth diapering system.

Pros:
- All natural
- Sustainable
- Absorbs 30% of its weight
- Breathable
- Cool in summer; warm in winter
- Can be reused if it isn't soiled

Cons:
- Can be more expensive than PUL covers*

*Unless you search Etsy for wool soakers or longies (pants) made from repurposed wool sweaters! It's a great way to recycle and reduce your consumption of new materials. Plus, they are typically more affordable than new wool soakers or covers.

Now, on to the good stuff.

Supplies:
Delicate wash (Such as Eucalan, Imse Vimse Wool Wash, or check Etsy or Hyena Cart for homemade versions.)
Lanolin (Same stuff you use for sore nipples! Make sure it's pure lanolin.)
Towel
Clean, empty sink
Glass or canning jar

Traditional Lanolizing Process:

1. Rinse any solids off of your wool soakers, covers, or longies with cool (not cold) water.
2. Fill a clean sink, basin, or large bowl with tepid (body temperature) water.
3. Submerge your wool items in the sink. 
4. Add about a teaspoon of lanolin to a cup of VERY HOT (but not boiling) water. Swirl the jar to melt the lanolin.
5. Once melted, add about a capful of wool wash (or amount recommended by manufacturer) to the jar.
6. Pour lanolin/soap mixture into the sink and gently agitate. Note: You risk felting your woolies of you scrub them.
7. Let soak for 15+ minutes (or overnight).
8. After soaking, place woolies on a towel and roll up inside the towel. Press on the roll or stand on it. DO NOT WRING YOUR WOOL!
9. Lay flat to dry to preserve the shape.

Note: Using a wash like Eucalan eliminates the need to rinse your woolies. Also, if lanolizing is not necessary, but your baby soiled the wool cover, you can eliminate the lanolin from the process above to clean the wool. Lanolizing is needed about once a month, depending on the frequency of use.  If your wool is leaking, you probably need to re-lanolize.

Alternative Process:

Through my own journey with wool, I have discovered a process that works better for me.

1. Rinse any solids off of your wool soakers, covers, or longies with cool (not cold) water.
2. Fill a clean sink, basin, or large bowl with tepid (body temperature) water.
3. Submerge your wool items in the sink. 
4. Get your hands wet and lather up a wool wash bar (like Naturally Luxe).
5. Dip your hands in the water and gently agitate. Note: You risk felting your woolies of you scrub them.
6. Let soak for 15+ minutes (or overnight).
7. After soaking, place woolies on a towel and roll up inside the towel. Press on the roll or stand on it. DO NOT WRING YOUR WOOL!
8. Lay flat to dry to preserve the shape.
9. Spray with liquid lanolin (like Naturally Luxe or similar product).*

*Not required with every wash as the wool wash bar will replenish your woolies with some lanolin. I only use it when I notice my wool covers are starting to wick to my baby's clothes.

*****

I was initially scared to add wool to my cloth diaper lineup, but now I love my wool covers and soakers! I love that they are breathable, naturally free of harsh chemicals, and are just plain cool.  Take the plunge and buy a wool cover or soaker. Soon, wool will become another cloth diaper addiction. 

Happy Diapering!